In the village of Baramo, in central Kongo, the respective governors of Ost and West Afrika, Dr Karl Peters and Herr Gustav Nachtigal have met for the inauguration of the last track of the grand equatorial railroad, crossing the center of Africa and linking the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

King Leopold of Belgium sends his Congratulations on this momentous achievement!

Zurich - The Italian Foreign Minister Carlo Felice Nicolis, conte di Robilant, announced the renewal of the "Italian/Austrian Treaty of Non-Aggression" for another 5 years. "Italy and Austria-Hungary maintain a very friendly relationship and we wish to continue this in order to preserve peace in Europe for years to come," declared Minister Nicolis. "The Italian Government is hereby exercising the option to renew our non-aggression pact with Austria-Hungary for another 5 years. We look forward to working with the Austrians to bring calm and civil order to the Balkans and Mediterranean region."

Having what appear to be favorable indications from France and Austria, it would be useful to have the views of the belligerent powers and others who have not yet responded on the proposal above. Then it is for those in accord to work out specifics and a document with the able guidance of the Chancellor of the German Empire once he may return to the conference.

(OOC) A break is a General Discussion thread type of suggestion but a good one, particularly as PhilThib is busy and in countries where people take substantial vacations this is the month they generally do so.

I think we need participation to move forward and don't want to create undue burdens on players and especially the Gamemaster. There is certainly enough to discuss at this point Conference-wise.

The situation in Arabia is very annoying for us the Austrians, in the last months the presence of british troops is growing and now we find that Austrian presence has been passed by british one.As we see we have no rights to colonize Arabia we are going to declare war to Oman.

Leibstandarte wrote:The situation in Arabia is very annoying for us the Austrians, in the last months the presence of british troops is growing and now we find that Austrian presence has been passed by british one.As we see we have no rights to colonize Arabia we are going to declare war to Oman.

Italy is shocked that a nation who just recently upbraided Italy for its war against the Ottoman Empire and shamed Italy for its alleged attempt to acquire territory, is now declaring war on Oman for the very same reasons. This is further proof that the PABEVICO alliance is nothing but a group of thugs hell-bent on pushing the world out of their way and taking whatever they desire. Germany has attacked Portugal and stolen their territories, France has demanded Italian territories and steals Spanish colonies, and now Austria attacks Oman.

What else must occur to convince the world of PABEVICO's nefarious intentions?

The Arabian peninsula is a long way from the Balkans where Austria usually finds annoyances. Many find Oman annoying in its imperviousness to diplomacy, yet in its favor we have seen no support for rebels or pirates and it has given no cause for complaint as a neighbor.

Britain was concerned by Italian incursions into the Hejaz during the recent war but has not taken steps to bring it under British protection - only to ensure some ability to protect Medina should circumstances require. The general expectation in the peninsula was that the Ottomans would develop the area, although we have had reports of the Sublime Porte considering sponsorship of Austrian development of the Hejaz.

Before the summer break, some measures will be implemented in the wake of the Zürich peace conference, according to the various claims, statements and agreements received from all sides or already displayed. Here is a shortlist of the implementations that are planned:

Peace of Coimbra (German-Portugal war)The treaty will be signed at Coimbra, as anounced separately and according to the general war goals published by Germany at start of the war. Below is a summary.
- Peace with Portugal, which will recover all its national regions and Goa colony
- Portuguese protectorates are transferred as mandates to various European powers, according to the list below. The transfer implies that the Mandate holder shall not transform the mandate into a colony (doing so who mean immediate removal of mandate). Portuguese private property re-established in the concerned territories (cost paid by Germany)
* Angola: Germany
* Bissau: France
* Cape Verde: Austria
* Timor: Holland
* Mozambica (less the Mataka/Teke regions attached to Nyasland): Britain
- Observation force will be stationned in Portugese home territory for 3 years
- Portugal will grant supply and coaling to all Mandate powers
- Madeira island (non-national) will remained occupied by Germany for 15 years, as a guarantee
- All captured shipping returned to Portuguese ownership. All prisonners freed. A squadron of armoured cruisers transferred free of cost to Portuguese navy by Reichmarine
- Germany will fund 5,000£ to Portugal to assist in reconstruction and development. All current improvements paid by Germany inside Portugal (roads, forts, telecoms, harbors) transferred free of charge. Similarly 1,000 tons of coal, steel and goods will be transferred free to Portugal to help improve the country.
- Agreement to be included also as part of the Zürich Conference

Franco-British African agreementThe various exchanges between the Foreign Office and the Quai d'Orsay will be implemented and ratified, along the following lines:
- Sudan shall become a British Protectorate; all France's penetration will be transferred to Britain, with the exception of the regions of Fashoda, Kanbarra, Hayya, Wadihalfa and Uweinat
- Sahara shall become a French Protectorate
- Togoland will be transferred by Germany to Austria, the latter being free to re-assign it to any of France or Britain

Peace of Constanta (Russian-Rumanian war)Rumania will accept peace with Russia with the terms being Russian annexation of the Dobruja region

Peace of Zürich (Italo-Turkish war)Italy and Ottoman empire to sign a white peace with return of statu quo ante

Non-Agression Pacts and AlliancesAll those officialy anounced will be implemented. As sponsors of the peace conference, Germany and Britain will act as guarantors of the treaties. Please confirm by return which are to be official. The start date of all these agreements will be the closing of the conference on January 1st, 1886.

Embassies reopenedAll embassies that were closed or damaged will be reopened and repaired. Please advise them to the Conference secretariat before closing.

The Zürich Conference President
under supervision of the representatives of Foreign Offices of Germany (Philip von Thibau) and Britain (Sir Garnet)

The delegates will go on summer break from tomorrow evening. However, the above measures (please comment in case of problem or omission, as some data or agreement may be missing) will be implemented step by step between early and late December. A 1886 At Start situation will be delivered in the very next few days, but no orders are due beyond tomorrow evening. Activity will resume after the break end of August, each party will receive an email message advising of the resuming.

I've decided I need to turn Belgium over to a new player or AI. Hopefully, no one will be too disturbed over this...... I will keep an eye on the progress here from time to time, I suspect. I need to move forward with a single player game without any other game distractions with the time I have to play.

In the interest of European peace and the welfare of the Italian and Ottoman peoples as well as those of other nations, Great Britain on behalf of itself and the Russian Empire ask the Kingdom of Italy to join the Ottoman Empire in undertaking a white peace. This is the most favorable result that Italy can achieve from this conflict.

It is the measured opinion of this paper that something nefarious is afoot in Washington. This paper has been asked to refrain to comments in regards to the recently concluded peace conference in Zurich, in order to not offend the sensibilities of some European nation. We will not be silenced by any threats from any foreign power, nor from any government. Even during the war, we remained a true and honest reporter of the news, no matter what the government said or did to our editors. We reported all abuses by the perfidious coucilors of that dearly departed President, Lincoln. Furthermore, we have not been informed that Habeas Corpus has been suspended in this country. We call upon Congress to investigate the actions of President Arthur, and if necessary for his impeachment. We will continue to report things as we see them.

In that spirit, we call on our Government to divulge all correspondence with certain countries that share a common language with us. What is it they want hidden, what are their motives? What is President Arthur's motives? We want the facts! Our reading public wants the facts, and they demand answers. This paper will not be silenced!

Red Letter event Salisbury resigns as conservative leader, strengthening Gladstone's position and current policy of "peace in Europe, order in the colonies, and prosperity at home." [OOC Historicaly Salisbury was PM for the past year, but not in game]

Zurich Conference success marred by Italian rejection of Anglo-German position urging negotiation in place of war and more reasonable demands. "The war will go on to ultimate victory over the Turk!" declares nationalist newspaper. - Senior officers not sanguine over Italian chances as main British expeditionary force withdraws from Italy.

Germany declares war on Italy. Whitehall satisfied by German and France assurances that civilian structures will not be intentionally destroyed and the only goal is a white peace.

The German-Italian war has unfortunately started, as no sign for peace talks resuming were sent by Rome.

The Geramn Imperial Army has moved down to Lombardia and Friul, laying sieges to the cities there. Contingents from Wurtelberg and Bavaria are slowly coming down, delayed by heavy snowfall in Tirol. In the fairer weather Northern Italian plain, a daring reconnaissance by a lone Uhlan cavalry brigade (which was lucky to escape) showed the main Italian forces waiting beyond the Po and in Alessandria.

At the same time, the Reichmarine exerted a new display of combined operations for which it has been trained for years. Forces landed simultaneously in Sardinia, Sicilia, Eritrea and Berbera (where the local installations were unfortunately destroyed in the fight), while the main fleet patrolled the seas with interception orders. On such a patrol, off the island of Rhodes, a squadron of Italian TB, trying to escape through a squall (weather is rain) was caught by the big guns of the Mittlemeer Geschwader and, unfortunately for the poor chaps there, dispatched to the bottom at over 8,000 yards.

In the colonies, the Ost Afrika Armee is advancing in Somalia, while the garrison of Suakim (Sudan) is besieged by an Italian foray from nearby Eritrea colony.

We shall see what the interim Italian command shall do in the coming months (OOC: has player did not submit orders for 2 consecutives turns, the AI takes over)